Pierce Williams, 75
June 3, 1935 — March 20, 2011

Pierce Richard “Skeeter” Williams, 75, of Silverbrook Avenue, Niles, died Sunday morning, March 20, 2011 in Niles.

Pierce Williams, 75

He was born June 3, 1935 in Niles to Richard C. and Roberta P. (Pierce) Williams and lived in Niles all of his life. He graduated from Niles High School in 1953 and attended Michigan State University. He served in the United States Army Reserve.

Skeeter was owner and president of Williams Home Centers, Niles until his retirement in 1989. He also owned Wilco Distributing of Niles.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was formerly an elected member and past president of the Niles Community Schools Board of Education; a former member and past president of the Niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International; and a member of B.P.O. of Niles Elks 1322.

He was an avid fisherman, loved boating and hunted for 50 years before bagging his first buck. He enjoyed family and friends with whom he shared fish fries and holidays, but his greatest accomplishment was his family whom he loved and who loved him.

On Aug. 6, 1955 in Niles he married the former Doretta Wiseman, with whom he celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, Doretta, and their children, Kimberly (Steven) Hanson of Toledo, Ohio, Kathleen (Marc) Edenzon of Belle Mead, N.J., David Williams of Traverse City, Mich.; grandchildren, Alexander Prior, Jacob Lenz, Alexandra, Michael and Zachary Edenzon, Sean Williams and Matthew and Laurel Hanson; Skeeter’s brother, Chris E. (Rebecca) Williams of Niles; sister-in-law, Sharon (Mrs. Larry) Williams of Naples, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Karen Michelle Williams; his parents, R.C. and “Bo” Williams; and his brother, Larry C. Williams.

The funeral service for Pierce R. Williams will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 23 at First Presbyterian Church, Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Skeeter may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to the Special Olympics of New Jersey.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:22pm Monday, March 21, 2011; print Tuesday, March 23, 2011.

Dale Hull
Oct. 27, 1883-April 11, 1964

Dale Hull, 80, of 636 N. 7th St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 6:30 a.m. today.  His death was unexpected.

Mr. Hull was born Oct. 27, 1883, in Lock Springs, Ind. He came to Niles from Greensburg, Ind.,, in 1926.

Survivors include his widow, Dora; two daughters, Mrs. James Reed and Mrs. Fred Lacey, both of Niles; four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the First Methodist church, and the Men's Fellowship Class of the church.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home. Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of his church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 11, 1964, page 2, col 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Katherine Eleanor Weiss
July 19, 1883-April 8, 1964

BENTON HARBOR--Mrs. Katherine Eleanor Weiss, 80, of 519 Britain Ave., died Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. in Mercy Hospital, where she had been a patient for three days.

Mrs. Weiss was born July 19, 1883, in Niles and came here from Niles in 1952. Her husband, William F. Weiss, preceded her in death. She is survived by three sons, Roy and Norval, of Benton Harbor and Gordon of Hammond, Ind., six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m Saturday at the Frost Funeral Home here.  The Rev. George C. Douma will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 9, 1964, page 2, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Melvin C. Wells
Nov. 10, 1887-April 6, 1964

Melvin C. Wells, 76, of 610 Sycamore St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 6 p.m. Monday.
Mr. Wells, a retired yard conductor with the New York Central Railroad, was born Nov. 10, 1887, in northern Michigan, living most of his life here.
Survivors include his widow, Nellie; two step-sons, Gale Johnson, Mattewan, and Cecil Johnson, Pittsburgh, Pa., eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was a life member and Past Master of the Pokagon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of American Legion Post No. 26, the Tall Cedars, the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Switchmen's Union and the Pioneers Association.  He was a veteran of World War I.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  The Rev. Richard J. Fraser, pastors of St. John's Church, will officiate. Commiteee[sic] rites conducted by the Pokagon Masnic[sic] Lodge will follow in Silverbrook Cemetry.    Friends are being received at the funeral home.   

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 7, 1964, page 2, col 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Wilhelmina Nieman
Aug. 21, 1831-Nov. 12, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 13, 1912, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

LIVED HERE FOR 64 YEARS

Mrs. William Niemann died last evening aged 81 years

Mrs. Wilhelminia Niemann, wife of William Niemann, passed away at their home, 307 Dey street at 9:50 o'clock last evening at the age of 81 years two months and 19 days.

Mrs. Niemann's death was due to chronic appendicitis from which she has been a sufferer since last March.

Mrs. Niemann was born in Saxony, Germany, Aug 25, 1831.[sic*] She came to America in 1849 with her parents. On April 14 on the same year she was married to William Niemann at Laporte, Ind. They came to Niles at once to reside, Mr. Niemann then being an engineer for the Michigan Central Railway company.

Mr. and Mrs. Niemann had no children of their own but they adopted a daughter, who is now Mrs. Richard Hess, 808 north Fourth street.

Besides the husband and daughter, Mrs. Niemann is survived by the following sisters: Mrs. Henrietta Schoenemann and Mrs. Freeda Wilke of Michigan City; Mrs. Amelice Reineke of Warsaw, Wis., and Mrs. Mollie Lay of Selina, Kan., and one brother, Evan Panish of Nausau, Iowa; also the following grand children, W.R., Arthur, Hattie, Ruth Minnie, Esther, Clarence and Edward Hess of Niles.

Mrs. Niemann was a lady of fine qualities and a kind neighbor and friend.

Mrs. Niemann was a member of both the Ladies Society and the Aid Society of St. Johns church and was prominent in each organization.

The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, from the home and at 2 o'clock from St. John's German church, Rev. F. Rahn, officiating.

Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 13, 1912, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MRS. WM. NIEMAN

Mrs. Wm. Nieman died last night at 9"30 o'clock at her home, 307 Dey street, after an eight months' illness of chronic appendicitis.

Wilhelmina Panish was born in Saxony, Germany, August 21, 1831, and came to the United States at the age of 17. Early in 1869 she was married to Wm. Nieman at Laporte, Ind., and came to Niles in April of the same year.

Mr. Nieman was formerly an engineer on the Michigan Central railroad, but is now retired.

The deceased leaves four sisters, Mesdames Henrietta Schoememan and Frieda Wilke of Michigan City, Mollie Lay of Falina, Kansas, and Amelia Reineke of Warsaw, Wis.  A brother, Evan Panish, resides at Nasau, Iowa.  These relatives are expected to arrive tomorrow or Friday to attend the funeral.  A daughter, Mrs. W. Hess, lives at 808 north Fourth street, this city.

Mrs. Nieman was a member of the German church and of the Ladies' club and Aid society of this parish. She was highly respected by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at the home Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, and at the German church at 2 o'clock, Rev. Rahn officiating. Interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.

Note: Death record has date of birth April 21, 1831

Herman C. Schweitzer
March 1, 1915-April 13, 1964

Herman C. Schweitzer, 49, of 1313 Bond St., was pronounced dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 10:30 pm. Monday.

Mr. Schwietzer, a purchasing department employe of Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, was born March 1, 1915, in St. Louis, Mo. He lived most of his life in this area.

Surviving are his widow, Marguerite, a son, Robert, Boston, Mass., a sister, Mrs. John Miswick, Niles; and two grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No.4, Free and Accepted Masons.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Earl J. Wickstrom, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate. Masonic committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 14, 1964, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library